First time out in 10 years, with my 89 OMC Seadrive 140 and although it did better than I expected, I still had some problems.
When I started out, I could only get up to 4400 RPMs and I could only do about 8-10 mph with the wife and kids in the back of the boat. I had everyone move to the front of the boat and then, I could get it up to as high as 18 mph and it felt like it was about to plane out. Once they moved to the back of the boat again, and I tried WOT, I could only get to about 4000 RPMs and that is when I started hearing the alarm. As soon as I would back off of the throttle, the alarm would stop. The engine does not have the OEM alarm sounder, so I am not 100% sure it is an overheat alarm, but the VRO system was disconnected about 10 years ago including the alarm wire, and I don't think my engine is equipped with a fuel restriction alarm so chances are it was an overheat alarm.
I am pretty sure that my lack of power is due to my leaky carbs, and I am still trying to work that issue out. However, I am concerned about the high temp alarm. I read that this problem could be due to salt buildup in the water jackets of the cylinder head, or possibly blockage around diverters (not sure if my heads have diverters).
I did replace the water pump before taking the boat out for the first time, but initially water did not seem to be flowing well, so I pulled the t-stats to check them and they were in pieces so I replaced those as well. I also had to use a screwdriver to scrape out some salt buildup on both t-stat housings to allow water to flow to the starboard t-stat.
If this helps, here is a list of some of the things I did before taking the boat out this time.
Drained fuel
Replaced water pump
Replaced thermostats
Rebuilt carbs (sanded plastic bowls)
Replaced alarm sounder
Changed lower unit gear oil
Replaced battery
Replaced starter
VRO was disconnected over 10 years ago including the VRO alarm wire.
When I started out, I could only get up to 4400 RPMs and I could only do about 8-10 mph with the wife and kids in the back of the boat. I had everyone move to the front of the boat and then, I could get it up to as high as 18 mph and it felt like it was about to plane out. Once they moved to the back of the boat again, and I tried WOT, I could only get to about 4000 RPMs and that is when I started hearing the alarm. As soon as I would back off of the throttle, the alarm would stop. The engine does not have the OEM alarm sounder, so I am not 100% sure it is an overheat alarm, but the VRO system was disconnected about 10 years ago including the alarm wire, and I don't think my engine is equipped with a fuel restriction alarm so chances are it was an overheat alarm.
I am pretty sure that my lack of power is due to my leaky carbs, and I am still trying to work that issue out. However, I am concerned about the high temp alarm. I read that this problem could be due to salt buildup in the water jackets of the cylinder head, or possibly blockage around diverters (not sure if my heads have diverters).
I did replace the water pump before taking the boat out for the first time, but initially water did not seem to be flowing well, so I pulled the t-stats to check them and they were in pieces so I replaced those as well. I also had to use a screwdriver to scrape out some salt buildup on both t-stat housings to allow water to flow to the starboard t-stat.
If this helps, here is a list of some of the things I did before taking the boat out this time.
Drained fuel
Replaced water pump
Replaced thermostats
Rebuilt carbs (sanded plastic bowls)
Replaced alarm sounder
Changed lower unit gear oil
Replaced battery
Replaced starter
VRO was disconnected over 10 years ago including the VRO alarm wire.